Wild tigers and Amur leopards face numerous threats to their survival, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. However, global disease prevention is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of their conservation. Infectious diseases, many linked to human activities, pose a growing threat to these already endangered big cats, compounding the challenges of protecting their populations.
Human settlements, livestock farming, and free-roaming domestic animals near tiger and leopard habitats increase the risk of disease spillover. Unvaccinated domestic dogs and livestock serve as reservoirs for infectious diseases that can spread to wild carnivores. Additionally, habitat fragmentation forces tigers and leopards into smaller, more isolated populations, making them more vulnerable to disease outbreaks, with limited genetic diversity to resist infections.
Global disease prevention efforts are essential to ensuring the health and long-term survival of wild tigers and Amur leopards. By addressing disease risks through targeted conservation actions, we can support resilient populations capable of withstanding the many challenges they face in the wild.
WildCats Conservation Alliance remains committed to working with conservation partners, researchers, and local communities to mitigate disease threats and advance global disease prevention strategies, safeguarding these iconic species for future generations.
